Quick Clicks

"If you're out and about and you want to see what's going on downtown tonight, who's at the Peanut Bar, who's here, you can call that up and see who's playing here and connect right to the restaurant," said Ernesto.

And that's not the only new thing, he said.

"We created this program called Get JazzED," said Ernesto.

The "ED" in jazzed stands for education. Music education has always been a part of the festival, and this year there will be a series of seven days of events at the GoggleWorks theater. Most of them are free.

"It's not just for kids, this program. Anyone who wants to participate, come watch a movie, see a show. So, we're giving something back to the community," said Ernesto.

Every spring, Berks Jazz Fest kicks off the season, and Ernesto said there is plenty to see, even one event that looked like it wasn't going to happen.

"Originally, the United States Air Force Airmen and Note were scheduled to perform, but when the sequester took hold and there were budget cuts, all the military bands their tours were cancelled."

But the U.S. Army Ambassadors, out of Maryland, are close enough to perform under the news rules.

"All you have to do is bring in a can good for the concert," said Ernesto.

That concert is at 7 p.m. Monday at the Crowne Plaza in Wyomissing.

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